They play regularly at NPR’s World Cafe, and definitely have it together enough to go the long haul. Good luck guys and hope to see you back in Cali soon!

click on the photo to hear ‘em and decide for yourself.

Brian will be hacking game controllers into tube screamers, and DJ Quantum will be selecting. Everything we’ll be doing, we’ll also be teaching.

So come see and learn with us!

www.makerfaire.com

Most Excellent Happenin Video Link Here

Further adventures in controlling Jitter video with Ableton Live.

Guitarist and electronic musician Christopher Willits continues his monthly series from SoundArts studio. In this episode, he expands on what he began last episode: integrating video footage with live performance using Ableton Live and Max/MSP/Jitter.

Tune in once a month as Christopher shows us some of the ways he produces his own music, as well as the many cool things you can do with recording software. According to Christopher, “I simply want to excite people’s imaginations and creative processes so they can more easily create the sounds and music and art they love.”

]]> http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/05/xlr8r-tv-what-you-talkin-bout-willits-part-11/feed/ 0 http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/03/avant-guardians-miroque-sound-arts/ http://blog.soundarts.org/2009/03/avant-guardians-miroque-sound-arts/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:14:02 +0000 jeanyaste http://blog.soundarts.org/?p=309 Sound Arts Instructor, Christopher Willits, suggested we all bring pillows for the floor of the live room. I pictured low lighting, persian rugs and lots of booze as I picked up a six pack and made my way to the studio….

The first live performance held at Sound Arts was Sunday, March 15. Thanks to the folks at overlap everyone had a great time. It felt quaint, cozy and very…familiar to the underground. The seating was limited, and the treats were plenty. Miroque was a bit nervous; she kept patting her cheeks between songs and tapping her fingers over her heart. But she played beautifully, to the tune of drowning swans, including tracks from her latest record, Green Anthology. The word of the moment is happening, so check back often to stay in the know.

We’ve got lots going on this month, here’s the skinny:

Upcoming classes:

* Music Production Workshop. Sat. & Sun. Feb. 14 & 15, 2009
* Mic Techniques. Sat. Feb. 21, 2009
* Voice Over Workshop. Sat. & Sun. Feb. 28 and March 1, 2009

For the current list of scheduled classes, prices and descriptions, or to sign up for a private instruction session, give us a call or visit www.soundarts.org

Overlap Salon

On February 4th, Sound Arts partner organization, Overlap, hosted a FREE event where users of Cycling 74′s powerful New Media creation software Max/MSP/Jitter were invited to join us in a mix of presentations, discussions, and discoveries. Topics included preset storage using the pattr system and tips and tricks for integrating preset communication into your patches.

We will be hosting the salons once a month throughout the year, so be sure to check in to get the next date. Everyone is welcome regardless of previous experience, and all are encouraged to bring laptops and libations!

Lily Taylor Releases “Overtones”

Lead engineer Ryan Kleeman has nearly wrapped producing up and coming artist Lily Taylor’s debut album “Overtones.” Together they infused her haunting vocals with ethereal drops of piano strings, creating the perfect soundtrack for watching skies ablaze in the jaded desert. And did we mention she’s originally from Santa Fe? Hear something new at: www.myspace.com/thelovelylily

Sound Arts is rolling out a distinct new set of class offerings for 2009. In the face of today’s economy, having more professional skills can only help you get ahead of the competition.  Our tailored courses, including sound design for film scores, audio post production, and DIY pedal building; are customized to maximize the students’ creative and professional prowess. We will teach you the skills, get you into a live studio to try them out, and then link you up with professional opportunities throughout the Bay Area. In addition to group workshops and private instruction, we also offer the brand new customized Sound Arts Certificate, where you can pick the curriculum and learn at your own pace. Once earned, this certificate will enable you to work within our professional and creative network, possibly even Sound Arts itself!

Please visit www.soundarts.org or www.soundarts.org/education to learn more about Sound Arts Education.

You can also Download the Spring 2009 Course Catalog or email eduation@soundarts.org for more info.

Upcoming January Group Workshops:

Once a month, Christopher WIllits, the electronic musician and guitarist guides us through recording and production techniques, basic electronic programs and other technical skills that he uses to create music. In this episode, Willits explains automation clips—setting them up, as well as their role in recording and playing live. Past episodes have included techniques he’s used on his albums, like processing sounds through MIDI pick-ups and synthesizers.

Tune in once a month as Christopher shows us some of the ways he produces his own music, as well as the many cool things you can do with recording software. According to Christopher, “I simply want to excite people’s imaginations and creative process so they can more easily create the sounds and music and art they love.”

http://xlr8r.com/tv
http://christopherwIllits.com

An incredibly young band, called Midori and Audioclique, were taking session. The singer, Midori, is a very beautiful girl who is only 15. Her band mates, Conor and Kevin are 20 and 19, respectively. They were working on a song called “Bangkok,” about a girl who just may be too hot to trot.

Adam cued up the machines and they were rolling. As Midori started her vocal overdubs, Conor and I chatted on the sofa. He told me that they were currently in the restructuring phase, that soon they were be focusing on the real star (he forked a finger at himself and smiled.)

Both Conor and Kevin were very playful. They play keys and bass respectively. While watching Midori enunciate the ‘kok’ in ‘Bangkok’ and joking that it’s their song too, they told me a sliver of their story. They all grew up in Santa Rosa, and are currently in the running for “Best Indie Pop Song” in the Hollywood Music Awards. Midori has been singing since she was 13, in fact the song up for the award, called “Go,” was recorded when she was only 13.

Midori’s father Ron and her mother have been very influential in helping her get this far. Her father actually plays guitar in the band and helps with management and audio production. Her mother fills in as the resident PR and booking agent. The awards take place at the Kodak theater, November 20.

You can listen to Midori and the Audioclique at:

http://www.myspace.com/midorilongo
http://www.audioclique.net

- Jean Yaste

Today we are recording two tracks with local, up-and-coming Indy rock group, “The Blank Slates.” (Troy Lawton is lead engineering, with Jonathon Wong as assistant engineer.  All of the interns have been helping out this week and rotating responsibilities.) Featuring Andrea Iacopini on guitar and vocals, they produce a high-intensity, earthy nuance with a forward drive. According to Andrea, “The Blank Slates” is a “concept of ever-changing sound, where each song has space to develop into its own without allowing the band itself to be easily categorized.”

Andrea was joined by drummer Cochrane McMillan in January of this year, with bassist Martin Fowler adding to the mix later that month. Not only are they solid musicians, but their tracks are chock full of well-blended harmonies and tight fills.

In “My Only Regret,” Cochrane takes the lead on drums and has been playing solid all day, with Turkish hand-hammered cymbals adding nice texture and shimmer.  Martin has a solid ear in this tune with dead-on rhythm and innovative fills. Andrea is a natural songwriter, and struck gold with his addictive opening guitar and bass lines.

www.myspace.com/theblankslates

The goal of today’s session is to create the majority of a demo for distribution to local radio stations.

Good energy, good times, good clean fun.

-Emily Hendricks